How to Throw an Ornament-Crafting Party

Because your friends have been to enough gift swaps this month.

By: Allie Holcomb King

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The holiday season is upon us, which means entertaining season is most definitely upon us. If a dinner party isn’t your thing, but you’d love to have a more casual shindig, consider hosting an ornament-crafting party. Keep things simple by mixing up a big bowl of punch and setting out a few appetizers. Select a DIY ornament all your friends will love, and buy enough supplies for each guest to make one. Spread out supplies on a large table, and make sure the appetizers are nearby. Turn on some holiday tunes in the background, and you’re all set.

I’ve rounded up a few of our cutest DIY ornaments and most delicious punch and appetizer recipes to make party planning a breeze. Scroll through, pick your favorites and send out some invites … or a group text.

SUPER-CUTE DIY ORNAMENTS

Mini Pinecone Elf Ornament

pine cone elf Christmas ornament hanging from tree

Mini Pine Cone Elf Ornament

Everyone loves an adorable ornament and this little elf will bring instant cheer to any style tree!

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Photographer: Christina Wedge

Photographer: Christina Wedge

This adorable elf requires six steps — perfect for crafty, hands-on friends.

Make It: Mini Pinecone Elf Ornaments

Paint-Dipped Wooden Ornaments

hand removing blue tape from wood sphere ornament

Painted Wooden Spheres

Step 4- Remove Tape While the paint is still damp, carefully remove the tape from the sphere. Prop it in a glass upside down and allow to dry (appx 10 minutes).

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Ultra-chic yet easy to make, these paint-dipped ornaments would be great for pals who lack the patience for detailed crafts.

Make It: Paint-Dipped Wooden Ornaments

Wooden Bead Star Ornament

Wooden Bead Window Stars

Less is definitely more when it comes this ornament. Made from simple ribbon and wooden beads, this lovely star is beautiful hanging in a window, on a door or nestled in a tree.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Photographer: Christina Wedge

Photographer: Christina Wedge

Made with wooden beads, this beautiful ornament boasts a cool, bohemian vibe, and the DIY is just a few, simple steps.

Make It: Wooden Bead Star Ornament

Embroidery Hoop Sweater Ornaments

Christmas Sweater Tree

This craft is super-easy, super-cute -- and it may even inspire you to clean out your closet.

Make It: Embroidery Hoop Sweater Ornaments

Mini Ugly Sweater Ornament

Christmas Sweater Tree

Friends will go crazy over this ridiculously adorable idea. Because who doesn’t love an ugly Christmas sweater?

Make It: Mini Ugly Sweater Ornaments

Painted Glass Ornaments

Painted Ornaments

Add a touch of color to your tree with hand painted Christmas ornaments. I choose acrylic paints in contemporary Christmas colors. Experiment with simple patterns. Here I did organic polka dots and brush stroke stripes.

If you want to keep the crafting as easy as possible, simply set out glass balls and acrylic paint. Let your friends’ creativity shine.

DELECTABLE HOLIDAY APPETIZER RECIPES

Cranberry Brie Bites

Everything Cranberries

Everyone’s crazy for cranberries during the holidays and why not? Their delicious sweetness complements just about everything from classic cocktails to crowd pleasing appetizers. You can’t go wrong with cranberries!

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

The perfect combination of sweet and savory, these cranberry brie bites only require four true ingredients.

Make It: Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Mini Quiche Florentine

These easy mini quiches are perfect for holiday entertaining. The classic combination of spinach and Swiss cheese paired with the robust flavors of fresh thyme and Parmesan make them an instant hit with even the pickiest of palettes.

From: Sam Henderson

Spinach and cheese will make these mini quiches a hit with even your pickiest friends.

Make It: Mini Quiche Florentine Recipe

Taleggio Crostini With Apple + Thyme Honey

Taleggio and Apple Crostini

A few high-quality ingredients really shine atop crisp crostini. Try creamy taleggio cheese paired with apples, thyme and honey — simple and delicious.

Courtesy Andrea Albin, 2012 CookingChannelTV.com

Apples give these light bites a seasonal crunch.

Make It: Taleggio Crostini With Apple and Thyme Honey Recipe

Brie + Sun-Dried Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms

Garnish your Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms

Top with a slice of sun-dried tomato and a mini rosemary sprig. Then, watch as they all disappear from the plate!

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

You can’t go wrong with a stuffed mushroom — especially when it’s packed with gooey cheese.

Make It: Brie and Sun-Dried Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Chocolate-Dipped Kettle Chips

Chocolate-Caramel Kettle Chips

Super-crunchy, salty, kettle-fried potato chips are the perfect canvas for the addition of sweetness and chocolate. A thin layer of caramel and chopped nuts makes this chip satisfy all your cravings at once. Get the recipe.